But “pure life” is also a philosophy: It’s about taking pleasure in the simple things, eschewing stress and living in peace (Costa Rica has no army) and in harmony with nature (nearly 27% of Costa Rica’s 19,700 square miles of land is protected in parks and reserves). It is, perhaps, why Costa Rica ranks No. 1 on the Happy Planet Index.

That’s not to say the system doesn’t have its drawbacks; it runs into trouble when a well-used landmark — say, a big higuerón tree — gets taken down. But even then, Ticos work around it: “From el antiguo (the former) higuerón, 100 meters north…”

And the best part is they’re rarely crowded. With the exception of Semana Santa — Easter Holy Week, when Ticos flock to their country’s beaches en masse for vacation — you can nearly always stake out a healthy space for yourself, even at the country’s most popular spots. And it isn’t that uncommon to have a beach all to yourself.

4. You can drive from the Pacific to the Atlantic in less than a day.

Costa Rica is spectacular proof that big things come in small packages. You can drive from the Pacific coast to the Atlantic/Caribbean coast in as little as six hours, yet the country’s diversity is astonishing — from towering volcanoes like the iconic Arenal; to the tropical dry forests of Guanacaste province; to the misty cloud forests of Monteverde; to 12,500ft Cerro Chirripó, the country’s highest peak; to the lowland tropical rainforest of Corcovado; to the beaches, coral reefs, and mangrove forests of the coasts.

5. Monkeys have sticky fingers.

While hiking through Costa Rica’s national parks, especially Manuel Antonio on the Pacific side and Cahuita on the Caribbean side, watch out for thieves — cute, little, hairy thieves with prehensile tails. The mono cariblanco, or white-faced capuchin monkey, one of four monkey species native to Costa Rica, is known for rifling through backpacks left unattended by unsuspecting tourists, and even reaching down from overhead tree branches to snatch treats out of hapless hands.

7. A ‘sock’ is all you need to make great coffee.

A newcomer to Costa Rica might visit a local kitchen and wonder what purpose a sock suspended from a little stand could serve. Well, the ‘sock’ is not actually a sock at all, but rather an ingenious cloth coffee filter. This simple, time-honored invention is called a chorreador, and it makes excellent coffee; connoisseurs say it brings out the full flavor of the bean. Simply fill the filter (also called a bolsita) with coffee, place a cup or coffeepot underneath, pour hot water over the grounds, let it drip, and enjoy your cafecito.

8. There are really only two seasons.

Costa Rica has just two seasons: Verano, or summer, is the dry season from December to April, while invierno, or winter, is the rainy or “green” season from May to November. During the dry season most of the country gets little to no rain, and in the rainy season downpours are generally limited to the afternoons, with the mornings sunny and beautiful.

It’s important to note, however, that Costa Rica’s Caribbean side follows different weather patterns from the rest of the country. It can rain any time of year in the Caribbean region, and the driest, sunniest months are usually September and October — which is the middle of the rainy season in the rest of the country.

All this to say: Whatever conditions you prefer, and whatever activities you’re into, there’s never a bad time to travel to Costa Rica.

9. There’s no time like Tico time.

Costa Ricans call it “la hora tica,” and it’s more relaxed than regular time. “Dinner at 8,” for example, might be interpreted as “dinner at 8:30” or even 9. Tico time — it’s part of what makes Costa Rica such a laid-back, pura vida place to be, and such a great escape from the rigid structure that regulates the everyday lives of so many of us.

This phenomenon even features in the language. The word ahora, which means “now” in Spanish, means “later” or “at some unspecified time in the future” in Costa Rica. So, Ahora lo hago means “I’ll do it later” or “I’ll do it in a while,” not “I’ll do it now.”

10. The best weather forecaster in Costa Rica is a bird.

Every year without fail, at the end of Costa Rican summer (see #8 above), the yigüirro, or clay-colored thrush, sings to welcome the start of the rainy season. It seems to especially like singing — loudly — just before dawn, when sensible people are still asleep. In a country noted for flamboyant avian species, it is the plain, unassuming yigüirro — whose unfortunate Latin name, Turdus grayi, gives you an idea of its drab color — that was chosen as the national bird of Costa Rica for its melodious song that heralds the rains.

Every single word of this article is true. I feel so proud of my country ” VIVA COSTA RICA”

your mom

Costa Rica is truly beautiful. Everyone I came in contact with was very friendly, happy go lucky people. I would love to live there! I left as large portion of my heart when I left that country.

gc

nobody mentioned drownings, home invasions and cheap coke

Marshawn Lynch………Yeah

Necessities for your vacation huh?

gcblues

no, i lived in Playas del Coco for over ten years, been gone 2 and still cannot sell my home there. because of coke, crime, putas, liars, high prices on everything, cheats …all the usual reasons.

Keith

I travel to playas del coco twice a year and have seen robberies first hand each time down there. Also the tico”s are very friendly to the tourists that have money and the more money the more the pura vida. As soon as the money runs out thats when they run out. It is obvious that they are only out for the tourist money. People are friendly to a point. The ex pats are the ones that have to stick together and make the best of life in costa rica.

Miles P

And yet you return twice a year. I call bullshit on your whole response. I lived in Costa Rica, and I continue to go back often. The people are truly “pura vida”. Oh, by the way, there are so many nicer beaches than Playas de Coco, why would you keep going back there?

Clow

Such a great article, and yes, we might have our issues, but I do not know any country that it’s perfect, so why not love the good things..?

What a brilliant article. Even though I’ve never been to Costa Rica, I have heard a lot about it and would love to visit one day. I found this article very entertaining 🙂 Now it makes me even more want to experience some “pura vida” for myself.

Ray

I lived in Costa Rica in the late 1970’s, and I see nothing has changed by reading this article. It is a beautiful country, friendly people, and I am glad to know the beautiful beaches are still not inhabited still. I spent hours on a beach in Puntarenas and I never saw anyone. I don’t know if it is still true, but I would not like to drive in San Jose, Costa Rica. At that point, in some streets, cars merged with no separating lines. It is still the same in parts of Guadalajara, Mexico where I own a home outside of Guadalajara, Jalisco. Still, both places are very beautiful, and many Americans live in both countries. I loved Costa Rica and now I love Mexico.

Bill P. Walkling

Monkeys have sticky fingers, so that means 50% of TICOs are monkeys…………………….. been there, I remember way to well !!!!! Ask Richard Brown about living on the beach…..

Bernard lopez

Le faltó el ” Qué Tuanis” y las birras
🙂 🙂

Wade

The reason the tires on the old VW are missing is because they were stolen and not by a white face monkey. :/

Johnny u

I had a great experience, but am a seasoned traveler. 2 sets of friends were made to feel welcome. Taken to a special beach and next thing you know… everything stolen

Ray

You have to know where to park in Costa Rica, and never never keep your things exposed in your car. The same thing happened to my brother near “El Teatro Nacional”. My brother was killed by the beauty, but I lived in Costa Rica and knew better, my brother was just passing through. It is just like any other country, including my State of California. You Have to be careful, but generally, it is a beautiful country, with warm people. I have a home outside of Guadalajara, Jalisco, México, in a peaceful area, but I still would never leave my guard down, anywhere.

Ray

Not killed, but “fooled” by the beauty. Sorry for the error.

Daniel Monge

ok let me refresh some great things about cr
1- houses build like prision cells
2-the criminal would not do 1 year in prison since the government will release them early
3-people wont talk to you been afraid that you may shoot them
4-the most expensive country
5-lord and the traffic jams unbelievable every day
6-if you sick you better hope to die soon cause they give you appointment to see the doctors 2 years later
Should I continue maybe not now

Rolando Romero

I will bother replying your post by saying practically all of what you say is false, and what isn’t is an exaggeration.

Abu Hadiyyah

Similar to Nigeria in a lot of ways. Weather, seasons, rice and beans, The time, even street addresses